Playa del Carmen Hotels and Riviera Maya Hotels

Playa del Carmen and Riviera Maya Attractions

Once considered nature's secret paradise by the ancient Maya, Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya offer some of the best sightseeing spots in the world. The Riviera Maya features eco-parks where you can swim, relax and simply admire the breathtaking views. Xcaret's 200-acre park offers rivers for swimming, a butterfly sanctuary, play with dolphins, snorkel, snuba (diving without a tank) and lush tropical surroundings. Xel-Ha, which is also located in Riviera Maya, is a private lagoon park that also offers a variety of nature activities. Don't miss out on Sian Ka'an, a 1.3 million-acre ecological park that includes everything from tropical forests and lagoons to wildcats, crocodiles and birds. Cancun also offers horseback riding and biking, which can be arranged through your hotel.

For more adventurous travelers, rent a car and drive south toward Tulum. Right off the main highway, you will see small (often handmade) signs announcing cenotes. Here, for a merely symbolic fee, you can swim in aboveground cenotes, which are natural fresh water pools in the middle of the jungle. These are very rustic and basic, so be aware that there are no changing facilities or places to store your valuables. However, this is probably the closest you will ever feel to the Maya, who have used cenotes for thousands of years. These are just a few of the many attractions in the area.

Alltournative
Location: Playa de Carmen, Municipio de Solidaridad, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Phone number: 52-984-873-2036
Based in Playa del Carmen and Cancun, Alltournative features a diverse range of outdoor adventures and expeditions. Many visit Mayan ruins. Tours run either half-day or full-day, or you may opt to take camping trips or longer circuit tours.

Eco Caribe Turtle Hatchery on Isla Mujeres
Location: Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Phone number:  52-984-109-5835
Fascinated by sea turtles? Isla Mujeres is home to hundreds of them. From May through September, these sea turtles lay their eggs on the sand. Eggs are kept in protected areas to keep them from sea predators. After turtles are born, you'll get a chance to transfer them to the pond or to the sea where they'll get to return to their natural habitat. The turtle hatchery is open from 9 a.m. --  5 p.m.

EcoColors
Location: Smz. 27 Calle camarón no. 32 Quintana Roo, Mexico
Phone number:  52-998-884-3667
Taking its name from all the diverse colors found in the rainforest, woods, lagoons, reefs and sea water, these tours include cycling, bird-watching, camping, kayak tours, eco-educational tours and visits to archaeological sites.

Kantenah
Location: 34 kilometers south of Playa del Carmen
Phone number: 52-998-898-4312
Sitting along the Caribbean Sea and just south of Xpu-Há, this natural beach features plants, palm trees and other foliage. Visitors may enjoy windsurfing, snorkeling, sailing, scuba diving, fishing, bird watching or relaxing in a hammock.

Mundaca Hacienda on Isla Mujeres
Location: Av. Rueda Medina No. 130
Phone number:  52-998-877-0307
Built in the 19^th century by Spanish pirate Fermin Mundaca de Marechega, this plantation house tour shares the history of how Mundaca built this house to share with his love, "La Trigueña." After fighting against the British navy in 1860, Mundaca found this place to be his safe haven to spend with La Trigueña. Mundaca's entire property also covered almost half of island, controlling agriculture and cattle. For those fascinated with history or for anyone who's a hopeless romantic, a trip to the mansion takes its guests back in time.

Selvática Outdoor Adventure Tours
Location: Selvática Park
Phone number: 52-998-898-4312
Ready for the great outdoors? Selvática Outdoor Adventure Tours offers almost 250 acres of mid-to-high jungle. With each zip line adventure, you'll fly high through the trees while admiring breathtaking views of the lush jungle. The longest circuit in North America, the ride's total distance is two miles divided into 12 zip lines. The adventure jungle park also features a swimmable sinkhole, measuring more than 160 feet in width. The tour is approximately five hours long and operates daily. For a real taste of the wilderness, night flight adventures are also available.

Sian Ka'an
Location: Federal Road (307) Cancun-Tulum, #68 Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Phone number:  52-984-871-2499
Located near the Caribbean coast of Mexico, this biosphere reserve serves as an example for sustainable development in sensitive tropical ecosystems. The canal tour offers an educational, sightseeing boat tour, which follows the Mayan trade route used 1,200 years ago and offers guests the chance to see unique flora and learn about Mayan history. Or, enjoy a sunset bird-watching tour (available December through May) in a peaceful open boat through the lagoon.

Tankah in Riviera Maya
Location: Located south of Xei-Há, just north of Tulum archaeological site
For those seeking some quiet time, Tankah is known for its seaside "cenote" (natural well). This lagoon is also popular among snorkelers. Wind down and enjoy savory barbecue dishes at Casa Cenote restaurant. Admission is free. Contact your hotel for information and directions.

Xcaret
Location: Riviera Maya: Highway Chetumal-Puerto Juarez Km 282, Solidaridad, Quintana Roo
Phone number: 52-998-883-0470
Experience Mexican wildlife at this popular 200-acre eco-park. Here you'll find underground rivers perfect for swimming, a butterfly pavilion, monkey area, a restaurant, an evening show portraying ancient Mayan ceremonies, an orchid greenhouse, mushroom farms, a wild bird breeding area and nightly entertainment for the entire family.  If you want to tie the knot in the middle of paradise, Xcaret also offers a hilltop wedding chapel with breathtaking views of the Caribbean. Xcaret is located 35 miles south from the Cancun airport (or four miles south from Playa del Carmen).

Xel-Ha
Location: Riviera Maya: Highway Chetumal-Pto. Juárez, Km. 240
Phone number:  52-998-884-7165
This private lagoon park features landscaped grounds, caves, nature paths, restaurants and a lagoon, which is home to many tropical fish. The open-sea aquarium offers plenty of land and water activities. The park also includes abundant flora and wildlife. Guests can also take the Jungle Train, which takes passengers to the Xel-Ha River and back, or a quiet nature walk through the Path of Consciousness.